Hello friends! A few days ago I posted a video where I shared my creative process and all the decisions (and indecisions) I make when I design a card. It was heartwarming to read all of your comments and feedback and I’m so happy you have found that video useful.
Today I’d like to share something different, but something that in a way continues the topic of cardmaking – I’d like to share my go-to cardmaking formula, I call it a perfect cardmaking formula (only in a way that it works perfectly for me when I make Clean & Simple cards). I’m also sharing a way to replace one of the elements I use in my formula with something that can be found in pretty much everybody’s stash.
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VIDEO TUTORIAL
I’m sharing a video tutorial, watch it below or on Youtube:
THE FORMULA
So my formula is simple: white card base (usually using specialty cardstock like woodgrain, spicy yogurt or simple colored card) + gold frame or gold die cut (usually using Altenew’s Antique Trims) + a large floral or a floral cluster + sentiment. Simple as that. I use this combo when I have a hard time coming up with a good design idea for a card and it has never let me down. See some ideas below (click the photo to go to that blog post):
One of the elements in this formula, gold die cut, can be created using dies and gold mirror cardstock (or silver if you are a silver kind o girl). I pulled out my Spellbinders’ dies and experimented a bit to see what frames/dies cuts I could make for my cards. I only made 8 examples (I wanted to show them in my video and I didn’t want the video to be very long, showing 7 on photos below as the 8th one is used on a card), but I look forward to making additional examples using dies from Spellbinders and other companies.
I chose Spellbinders to show as an example as they have very fancy and detailed dies and also because I have a lot of their designs (and I truly love their dies). See below the photos of the die cut + the names of the sets I used to create them. I also have all of these sets linked below.
Dies listed: Pierced Delight, Majestic Circles, Standard Circles, Royal Circles, Gold Rounds, Heart & Flutter
Dies listed: Luscious Labels One, Labels One, Fancy Framed Tags Four
CARD DETAILS
The frame I used for my card was created using a different set, Triple Tear. It is simple, yet elegant and I felt it was a perfect match for this project. To stick with my formula I went with white woodgrain cardstock from Simon Says Stamp (Altenew has identical card). For the flowers I used Altenew’s Vintage Flowers and matching dies. I did use a completely new color combo for me and I went with Peach and Yellow colors.
I used my mini MISTI stamping tool to stamp these and if you watch my video you can see how easy and quickly I was able to stamp two sets of flowers and leaves. I don’t use MISTI for all of my stamping, but it does work wonderfully for stamping color layering stamp sets and for stamping on textured paper such as watercolor paper.
For the sentiment I used one of my all time favorite sets, Labels Love, and heat embossed Thank You in gold embossing powder onto white cardstock cut it out and foam mounted over the frame. I couldn’t resist adding several sequins and clear drops to finish this project.
SUPPLIES
I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
 Spellbinders Majestic Circles Dies Shop at: SSS | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Standard Circles LG Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags Four Dies Shop at: SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Labels One Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Triple Tear Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinder Hearts and Flutter Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Pierced Delight Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Royal Circle Dies Shop at: SSS | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Gold Rounds One Dies Shop at: SSS | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Luscious Labels One Dies Shop at: SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Pretty Pink Posh 4MM Clear Droplets (small) Shop at: SSS | RAH |
 Pretty Pink Posh 4MM Metallic Gold Sequins Shop at: SSS |
 Mini Misti Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Altenew Label Love Stamp Set Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Vintage Flowers Stamp Set Shop at: SSS | AZ | AN |
 Altenew Vintage Flowers Die Set Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Vintage Flowers Clear Stamp and Die Bundle Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Peach Perfect Dye Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Summer Afternoon Oval Set Dye Ink Pads Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Red Sunset Dye Ink Pad Pack Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Gold Mirror Cardstock Shop at: AN |
 Altenew Woodgrain White Cardstock Shop at: AN |
Simon Says Stamp Woodgrain Cardstock White Shop at: SSS |
 DoCrafts Gold & Silver A4 Mirror Board Pack Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 ScraPerfect Crafting Pouch Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder PW100 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Versamark Watermark Emboss Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | HA | AZ |
 Ranger .5 Oz. Multi Medium Matte Adhesive Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Scrapbook Adhesives Thin White Foam Squares Shop at: SSS | AZ |
I usually use a plain card and then add a rectangle of patterned paper. Some ribbon, a stamp and sentiment and I’m done. I don’t have as much time to craft as I’d like so I try to stick to simple designs. I could really use a MISTI, that’s for sure!
This is a good go to recipe. Sometimes it can take me a week to get a card made when I have a mental block. I’ll just go in and look at it, maybe clean up or just play around with something els.
I don’t have a formula, but I really appreciate you sharing yours. The card is beautiful.
I don’t have a formula but I like yours….I may have to adopt it! Thanks for a chance to win!
Thanks for all the info. I better come up with a formula.
Love your card! I don’t have a formula. I think I’d be more efficient if I came up with one. Thanks!
I don’t really have a formula. I draw my inspiration from the many talented cardmakers on the web. I just found your blog via the Misti giveaway and will have to add it to my feedly list of favorites. Thanks for the opportunity to win a Misti!
Love your cards and enjoy your videos. Thanks!
Love your simple formula. Thank you. I just copy ideas from Pinterest and then make them my own.
Thanks for your challenge to develop a formula – I had not thought of that before.
I am 84 yrs. old and am trying my hand at making cards. I want to copy your FABULOUS card and hopefully it will resemble yours. You really inspired me to keep trying to make beautiful cards. Thank you for sharing your God given talent with the crafting world
A formula for card making? I am going to have to think about that because I don’t think I follow a set formula. Maybe I do without realizing it…
At the moment I’m just copying cards to learn techniques and build up my stamp and die stash. I don’t have the confidence to “design”, yet. I happen to have some spellbinder dies and will definitely try this. I’ve always thought your videos with the gold embellishments (antique trims) were great gorgeous but I never thought about using my spellbinder dies. Thanks for sharing your techniques and process in recent videos. I feel as if I am learning a lot.
I don’t really have a formula. I just create from some sketches or from something that else that catches my eye.
Hello, Yana!!! I am a big fan!!! I am just starting to be serious about card making and your post educated me on using sketches and layering, thank you! My formula for card making is of course inspiration, an idea of what you want to make and occasion! A card maker needs a lot to make a card so I am now working on getting all the right supplies! The mini misti would help me to line up my stamps; I do have difficulty lining up my imiges at times! Again, дуже дякую!!!
Unfortunately, I do not have a formula, but your suggestions are very helpful. . . .
I don’t have a formula, as least not consciously.
But I really like the idea of having one!
Thanks for sharing yours.
No, I don’t have a formula just look and see how others have used the stamps or dies.
Beautiful cards Yana. Thank you for sharing your formula. I think it will be helpful. I don’t have a lot of time to do cards so any help is good. Thanks. I would love to win a Misti. I can’t find one here in Canada. It would help make multiples fast. Thanks.
Thanks for the chance to win. I don’t really have a formula just like making cards.
Wow- gorgeous and easy to see why it’s your go-to . I didn’t think I had a “perfect formula” until I looked thru pics of last-minute cards i made when creative time was limited . Rather than a frame, I tend to use a right triangle at the bottom left or right of the base, with the diagonal running up the middle of the card . The triangle gives me 2 sides for reference when aligning, so I don’t stress (and I would/do) as when using more free-form placement of a central piece. I select the triangle color based on my mood (or formality required for the card) and from there I’m driven to the other design pieces semi-aligned with the diagonal. Greens, pinks or reds lead me to florals; blues to birds, butterflies or balloons; black/grey/metals to flourishes . Thanks for the idea nudge- I have a backup plan and didn’t even know it!
No, I do not have a formula, but your suggestions are very helpful!
Love the gold triple tear. Your cards are always so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing and a chance to win a Mini MISTI
We probably all have some sort of formula without ever thinking about it. I will need to give mine some thought.
Yana, thank you for another great video, you are so talented. I love how you alter the spellbinders dies, I would have never thought about doing that. Looking forward to your next video.
The Misti looks like it would come in so handy for many stamping situations.
Love your style and all of your beautiful cards Yana! I don’t have a definitive formula, but probably should as I often spend a great deal of time on my cards. Thank you for sharing yours and for the chance to win a Misti. That in itself would certainly make my card making an easier process.
I don’t have a formula that I fall back on like this. When I’m stumped I tend to just layer pattern paper some colored card stock under my stamped image. I really like your idea of using the die cut frames. I’ll be sure to give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
My formula is not really a formula … lol … i start off by looking at blogs or pinterest to get a basic idea and then just go from there. I love to see a video that uses the same stamps i own – thanks for the chance to win!
I don’t have a formula I use for cardmaking but it sounds like a good idea. Thanks for sharing yours.
Beautiful card!!! I really don’t have any formula when making a card, but thanks for sharing your tips!!!!
I don’t have any type of card formula…I’m usually just wingin’ it! Thanks for the Misti giveaway. I’ve had my eye on it!
Gorgeous card! My card formula equals building in layers, adding interest with embossing & depth by popping elements up.
Thanks for sharing your formula. I dont really have one formula except solid card base with tone on tone stamping and one central image.
I have not been making cards for that long so, no, I do not have a formula but thanks for sharing yours.
I wouldn’t say I have a real formula. I do a lot of copying of other people’s ideas on Pintrest. Or I let paper and stamps guide me. I love the elegant look of your card and thank you for sharing your formula.
so pretty!
To get nice crisp images when I stamp I have come to depend on my Misti and good quality stamps ank ink. I have the original Misti and would love to win a mini!
Beautiful card! Thank you for the chance to win a Misti!
I don’t have a formula for making my cards but I wish I did. Maybe as I learn more I will (I’ve only been card making for 6 months now). Thank you so much for sharing yours, you cards are always stunning and you are huge inspiration to me!
Hi Yana,
I also don’t have a formula, since my cards have a LOT of dimension always and are usually bigger than your example, but recently I started to make smaller cards due to the fact that I have ordered cover plates that are the standard size, so your formula will come very handy for future ones. I am an admirer of your EXCELLENT work, and a subscriber of your blog as well. Thanks for the chance to win the Misti and for all your SUBLIME INSPIRATION!
Cariños,
María Alba
I MUST try this formula! What fantastic cards and so much potential! Thanks so much for sharing! I LOVE how you added the washi tape to the magnets to give them ‘tabs’ and make them easier to lift! What a great idea!
What a great idea. I never thought of card making as a formula. I’ll have to pay attention as I create in the next few weeks to see if I really do have a formula. I love to use sketches so I often have a sketch in mind when I start a card. Thanks so much for the tips with the MISTI. It looks so much faster for stamping!
Always beautiful Yana! Love all your creations! Thanks so much for sharing your technique!
Your cards are beautiful! I just play and come up with a design. I Have no one way.
I adore your work and find myself analyzing the components often. This card is stunning! Thanks for a chance at winning a mini Misti!
No, I don’t have a specific formula for card making, although it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get one! I love creating something new and different and love to learn from the masters and incorporate all of the great ideas you all have!
You have a great formula with very nice results. I wish I could get my fancy Spellbinder dies to cut as nicely.
I don’t really have a formula but I use word a lot for envisioning how my final card would look like and also to test out dimensions.
I don’t have a formula per se. I do like to use sketches and kind of pick and choose elements by the sketch. Thanks for the tips with the MISTI.
Formula? Oh YES I do. I watch creative people like you and then copy! LOL
I don’t have a formula, but your video inspires me to think about it!